Weighing-machine



(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 1. 1:'. H. RICHARDS.

l WBIGHING MACHINE. NO. 578,158.

Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

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Inventar.'

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3 Sheets-Sheet 24 rNo Model.)

F. H. RICHARDS. WBIGHING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

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(No Model.)

P. H. RICHARDS.

, WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 578,158.1 Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

WEIGHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,158, dated March 2, 189'?.

Application filed July 6, 1896. Serial No. 698,084. (No model.)

To all whom, t may con/cern:

Be it known that LFRANcIs H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in IWeighing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to weighing machines,'an object of the invention being to provide an improved organization of mechanism com prehendin g an efficient load-supply device consisting in its preferred form of a movable feed-table and a deiieeting or guide blade which coacts therewith, said parts serving to maintain a steady even stream to the bucket during the loading period.

Another object is to provide closer mechanism embodying a closer'which is supported for vertical movement relatively to the bucket and which controls a discharge-outlet thereof, so that on the discharge of a load of material the gravitating mass may hold said closer open or down, to thereby allow ample time for the complete discharge ot' the bucket contents.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure l is a front elevation of a weighing-machine comprehending my improvements in the preferred embodiment thereot and illustrates the positions occu pied by the respective parts at the commencement of operation. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the machine, showing the positions occupied by said parts during the load-discharge period. Fig. 3 is an end elevation as seen from the right in Fig. l, the operative parts being in positions corresponding therewith; and Fig. 4 is a detail view in plan, illustrating the load-supply mechanism.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The Jframework for supporting the operative parts ot' the machine may be of any suitable character, and it is herein illustrated consisting of the end frames or columns 2 and 4, surmounted by the top plate 5, suitably attached thereto, said en d frames bein g mounted upon the base 3.

The bucket or load-carrying receptacle of the machine is designated by G and is ofthe single-chambered type, though it is obvious that some other form might be employed.

For supporting the bucket the compound beam mechanism illustrated is employed, said mechanism consisting of the oppositelydisposed counterweighted scale-beams B and B', fulcrumed to the base or other part of the machine in the usual manner, although, as is obvious, any other suitable devices for accomplishing this purpose may be utilized. The beam mechanism at points intermediate its fulcrums will be furnished with suitable bucket-supports, (two of these being shown at G and G', Fig. 3, as knife-edges) whichsnstain the bearings 7 and 7', depending from hangers attached to the end walls of the bucket.

The bucket G is illustrated terminating in two sponts S and S, the outlets of which are controlled by closers or sh utters, said closers, in the form herein shown, being supported Vfor vertical movement relatively to the bucket G, so that on their release at the proper point in the operation of the machine, as will hereinaftc r appear, the discharging mass from the bucket tends to force said closers open and hold them down to allow ample time for the discharge of the bucket contents.

The closers are designated by Land L' and consists in the present instance ol' the oppositely-inclined walls of the depressible hopper ll and are adaptedvhen in the normal position thereof, as indicated in Fig. l, to abut or tit tightly against the lower edges of the spouts 8 and S. The hopper II leads to an outlet 9, about which atubular conduit l0 extends, the cross-sectional area of said conduit lO being preferably less than the combined cross-sectional area of the two spouts S and 8', so that the outiiow of material from the conduit l0 is less than the iniiow into the hopper II from the two bucket-spouts S and 8', whereby the hopper 9 may be maintained in its depressed position by the weight of the discharged material therein, as indicated in Fig. 2, for a relatively long period of time, the mass within the hopper H tending to impede or retard its return movement.

For supporting the hopper H' the means illustrated are preferably employed and will now be described. A pair of crossing levers pivoted to the bucket G are shown at l2 and l2', furnished at their free ends with the segmenta-l connterweighted plates 13 and 13, the

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function of the latter being to return the two closers to their normal positions. The opposite ends of the levers are provided with depending links 14 and la, pivoted thereto and similarly connected to the hopper H. The closer-supporting mechanism just described will preferably be duplicated at the opposite sides of the bucket, so that an even movement of said hopper may be insured. The counterweighted plate 13 is provided with a lug 15, against which the complemental plate 13 is adapted to abut, whereby the descending movement of the hopper ll will be limited, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

For normallymaintaining the hopper l'l, and consequently the elosers L and L', against discharge movement the following instrumentalities, comprising` as one of its constituent elements an inverted toggle, will be preferably employed: A rocker is shown at 17, su pported for oscillation on the bucket G and having joined thereto a connecting-rod 18, said rocker and rod 1S constituting the two members of the toggle to which allusion has just been made. A pair of links are shown at 19 and 19', respectively, articulated tothe rod 18 and also to the counterweighted plates 13 and 13. lVhen the hopper is in its normal position and the elosers L and L are shut, the three toggle-pivots will be approximately in line, as indicated in Fig. 1, so that said hopper may be held against movement by a minimum pressure on the rocker 17. For thus holding the rocker 17 against oscillation, and consequently preventing the discharge movement of the hopper H, a latch is illustrated at 20, pivotally supported on the end wall of the bucket G and positioned for engaging the rocker or the rigid arm 17 thereof when the parts are in the closed positions previously described. ln the embodiment illustrated the detent-arm 20" of said latch swings upward to engage the rocker-arm 17. It will be evident that when the long arm 20 of said latch is raised or tripped the detent-arm will be disengaged from the rocker-arm 17 and the rocker 17, and hence the hopper lvl freed of all restraint, so that the weight of the contents in the bucket may force said hopper H vertically downward and the closer-walls L and L away from the edges of the spouts S and 8 to permit the discharge of a bucketload. On the depression of the hopper H by the weight of the mass of material therein the non-counterweighted arms of the levers 12 and 12 will move in coincidence therewith, the counterweighted plates 13 and 13 being oppositely rocked, until the plate 13 im pinges against the lug or abutment l5 on the plate 13, which indicates that said hopper has reached the limit of its descending movement. As

soon as the plates 13 and 13 overbalance the weight of material in the hopper H the ascent of such hopper will be caused thereby, and as said hopper approaches its normal position any particles therein will gravitate down the inclined or closer walls thereof and pass into the conduit 10. A guide in the form of a lever 21 is illustrated pivoted to the bucket. G- and to the lower end of the connecting-rod or toggle member 1S, whereby the latter may be maintained in a true path during its reci procations.

My present improvements involve the provision of a movable feed-table and a deflecting or guide blade therefor, which parts coact to supply a stream of material to the bucket.

rlhe top plate is apertured at 5, between the walls of which aperture the feed-table, which is designated by F, is supported for movement, said table in the present instance, though not essential, consisting of a circular plate supported for rotary movement beneath the supply-outlet of the chute or hopper ll, the latter being of ordinary construction and preferably formed integral with the top plate 5. The table or platform F iis furnished with a projecting spindle or stud 25, journaled in a suitable bearing formed in said top plate. The spindle 25 is provided with a pulley 20, which communicates with a suitable inotor by which motion may be transmitted to the feed-table F.

A riser is shown at 27, havingjournaled in its upper end the shaft 2S, provided with the differential pulleys 2S) and 20', respectively, belted to the similar pulleys 30 and 3l mounted on the shaft 152, Fig. 1, the connectingbelt being designated by The shaft 38 also carries the pulley Sie, connected by the rope or cable 35 with the pulley 26, said rope being partially passed around the guide-pulley or idler 36, rotatively supported by the top plate.

It will be evident that by shipping the belt from the pulleys 31 and 29 to the pulleys 30 and 29, and vice versa, the speed of the feed-table F may be varied. The chute ll upon being supplied with a mass of material will direct the same to the feed-table F, which is preferably horizontally disposed below the mouth of said chute.

An inclined guard-wall is shown at SS, extending partially about the feed-table F, the lower edge of said wall being approximately contiguous to said feed-table. 'lhe space 25S between the adjacent edges of the wall constitutes a feed-opening, said wall being also flanged, as at fl through which and a rib or flange on the top plate suitable fastening means may be passed.

A defleeting or guide blade is shown at 23S), supported for oscillatory movement on an axis coincident with that ofthe feed-table F, said detlecting-blade 39 being projectable across the plane of the feed-table F. Said blade 39 is also illustrated curved for a purpose that will be hereinafter apparent, and as also having the lug or ear 39', through which and an opening formed in the bracket O the pivot 41 is adapted to pass.

The chute ll will, during the operation of the machine, constantly supply the rotary feed-table with a mass of material. The di- IOO IIO

rection of rotation of said feed-table is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, and the normal position of the deflecting-blade, in which it has its highest efficiency, is illustrated by the full lilies in said ligure, it lying across the base-line of the mass of material supported by said table.

It will be evident that on the rotation of the feed-table the mass thereon will be carried against the deiiecting-blade, so that on the continuation of such movement said blade Will serve in the nature of a scraper and will deflect or guide a part of the material laterally outward through the feed-opening 38' in the guard-wall 3S in the form of a stream which, on leaving the table F, gravitates into the bucket G. It will be evident that by projecting the blade outward or nearer to the base-line of the perimeter of the mass on the table F the result will be a reduction in volume of the supply-stream, and when said blade has wholly crossed or intersected said line the result will be a stoppage of the stream and said blade will act as an etfectual bar to the entrance of any of the material into the bucket, though the feed-table F continues its rotary movement. By reason of the curvature of the blade 39 spattering of the material will be wholly obviated and the power necessary to operate the same minimized. By the employment of the curved deflccting-blade the mass on the feed-table will be gradually and not suddenly impacted against said deiieeting-blade, as in the latter case the material would tend to spatter outward from said blade. The blade 39 also has an extended curved portion 39" beyond its axis of movement, which serves as a guard for preventing scattering of the material at ter it leaves the feed-table F, and for also guiding the supply-stream into the bucket.

rlhe de'flecting-blade 39 will be preferably actuated or controlled in part from and by t-he weighing mechanism, and is herein illustrated connected tothe scale-beam B for this purpose.

A crank or rock shaft is shown at 42, it being suitably supported by the bucket G and having the crank-arms 43 and 44 connected, respectively, with the scale-beam B and with the de'flecting-blade Si), the iirst-mentioned of said crank-arms being movable about the supporting-shaft 42 for a purpose that will hereinafter appear. The lug` or ear 39 of the deiiec'ting-blade 39 is shown furnished with a rigid arm 45, being preferably connected to the crank-arm 44 by a universal joint. A vertical thrust-rod is illustrated at 47, joined, respectively, to the crank-arm 43 and to the counterpoised side of the scale-beam B, or that part to the left of its fulcrum in Fig. 3, the juncture between these parts bein g preferably universal.

The scale-beam B constitutes a medium for actuating the deflecting-bladc 3i) in one direction-2l e., thrusting it outwardthe counterweighted lever 49, which is rigid with the shaft 42, being employed to impart an opposite stroke to said blade. A pin or stud is shown at 40, projecting laterally from the counterweighted lever 4) and which normally bears on the crank-arm 43, as indicated in Fig. l, so that on the upward movement of the vertical rod 47 the crank-shaft 42 will be rocked, and hence the diverting-blade 39 will be swung outward to reduce the volume of the stream supplied to the bucket G and to also subsequently stop the same.

The deflecting-blade 39 being in the position in which it is illustrated by the full line in Fig. 4 and the feed-table F slowly rotating in the direction of the arrow, a stream of material will be supplied to the bucket G, and when a certain part of the load has been received by said bucket it will descend, the poising side of the beam B moving in coincidence therewith, the counterpoised side of the scale-beam B being caused to rise and thrust the rod 47 upward, and the crank-arm 43 being against the pin 49' on the lever 49 it will be apparent that said lever will be raised, which action will revolve the rockarm 45 through the operative connections therewith and swing the blade 39 outward in correspondence with the movement of the bucket and the beam mechanism. Vhen the blade 3) has reached the positions indica-ted by the dotted line a, Fig. 4, the result will be the diversion of a relatively line stream of material, which constitutes the drip, its purpose being to complete the partial bucketload. On the completion of said load the blade 3f) will be further oscillated and to its ineffective position, as indicated by the dotted line l) in said Fig. 4, at which time its return movement is blocked, the closers L and L having during the interim been opened. Such blocking action will continue until the closers have resumed their normal positions, though the counterpoised side of the beam B will descend. As said scale-beam B descends the crank-arm 43 will be caused to move away from the projecting pin 49', the lever 49 being held in its uppermost position through the medium of stop mechanism, the preferred form of which will be hereinafter described. lVhen the deliecting-blade 39 is released, the counterweighted lever 40 will also be released and may drop to its normal position; and during such movement the shaft 42 will be rocked and the deliecting-blade 39 swung inward to its effective position to again divert the supply-stream into the bucket.

The invention involves the provision of a pair of reciprocally-elfective stops operative, respectively, with the closer mechanism and with the deiiecting-blade 39, so that the two closers will be positively held against opening movement should the latch 20 be prematurely tripped, and for also maintaining the deflecting-blade .59 in its ineffective position d uring the load-discharge period. The rocker 11.7 will preferably serve as one of said stops, the coaeting-stop being designated by 50, the

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ported independently of the feed-table and movable about an axis parallel with that of the feed-table; and means controlled by the weighing mechanism for imparting a stroke to said blade in one direction during the weighing of a load.

6. The combination With Wei ghing m echanism including a bucket, of a movable feedtablc; a reciprocatory deflecting-blade for said feed-table; and instrumentalities controlled by the Weighing mechanism, for actuating said blade during the Weighing of a load and for stopping the same on the completion of such load.

7. The combination With Weighing mechanism including a bucket, of a movable feedtable; a reciprocatory deiiecting-blade therefor; means controlled by the Weighing mechanism for imparting a stroke to said blade in one direction during the Weighing of a load; and a supply-chute located over said feedtable.

S. The combination With Weighin g mechanism including` a bucket, of a movable feedtable having a Wall extending partially about the same; a deiiecting-blade movable between the ends of said Wall; and means controlled by the Weighing mechanism for imparting a stroke to said blade during the Weighing of a load.

9. The combination with Weighingmechanism including a bucket, of a movable feedtable; a reciprocatory detlecting-blade for said table, supported independently of the same; and means for imparting a stroke to said blade in one direction during the Weighing of a load, said means being operative with the weighing mechanism.

10. The combination with a bucket having a closer, of a movable feed-table; a deflecting-blade proj ectable across the plane of said table; and reciprocally-effective stops operative, respectively, with said blade and closer.

11. The combination With a scale-beam and a bucket supported thereby, of a movable feed-table and its actuating mechanism, and

a deflecting-blade for said table operated by the scale-beam.

12. The combination With a scale-beam and a bucket supported thereby, of a movable feed-table; a deflecting-blade for said feed-l table projectable across the plane of said table by the scale-beam; and a counterweighted lever connected to said blade.

13. The combination with a feed-table, of a de'tlecting-blade therefor; actuating mechanism for said members; a bucket and its supporting scale-beam and a shaft mounted on said bucket and operatively connected with said deiiecting-blade and scale-beam.

14. The combination with a feed-table, of a deflecting-blade therefor; actuating mechanism for said members; a bucket and its supporting scale-beam; a shaft mounted on said bucket and having crank-arms operatively connected With said blade and with the scalebeam, one of said arms being loose on said shaft; and a countcrn'eighted lever rigidly attached to said shaft.

15. The combination with a feed-table and With a detlecting-blade therefor, of actuating mechanism for said members; a bucket and its supporting scale-beam; a shaft having arms operatively connected to said blade and scale-beam, one of said arms being loose on said shaft; and a counterweighted lever rigidly connected to said shaft and provided with a projection adapted to bear against said loosely-mounted arm.

1G. The combination with a feed-table and With a detlecting-blade therefor, of actuating mechanism for said members; a scale-beam; a bucketsupported by said scale-beam and provided With a closer; a shaft on said bucket having a crank-arm connected to said blade; an arm loosely movable on said shaft and operatively connected with the scale-beam; a counterneighted lever on said shaft; a stop also on said shaft and a coacting stop operative with the closer.

17. The combination with a bucket having a closer, of holding means embodying a latch, operative for maintaining said closer in its normal position; a feed-table; a deflectingblade for said table; and a shaft operatively connected Wit-h said scale-beam by a thrustrod provided with a latch-trippin g device.

1S. The combination with a bucket, of a hopper supported for movement relatively thereto, one of the walls of said hopper constituting a closer for the discharge-outlet of said bucket; and means normally operative for maintaining said hopper against movement.

19. The combination with a bucket, of a hopper supported for movement relatively thereto and having an outlet, one of the Walls of said hopper constituting a closer for the discharge-outlet of said bucket; and means normally operative for maintaining said hopper against movement.

20. The combination with a bucket having a pair of discharge-outlets, of a dischargehopper supported for movement relatively to the bucket and having oppositely-inclined Walls constituting closers for said outlets, said hopper also having a discharge-opening; and a conduit extending about said dischargeopening.

21. The combination with a bucket having a pair of discharge-outlets, of a dischargehopper supported for movement relatively to the bucket and having oppositely-inclincd Walls constituting closers forsaid outlets, said hopper also having a discharge-opening; a conduit extending about said discharge-opening 3 and a pair of counterweighted levers supported on the bucket and provided with links connected to said hopper.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS.

wWtnesses:

FRED. J. Donn, HENRY BIssnLL.

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